ALA Day THursday Nov 5, 2004

Both groups were represented today - gaggle and murder. The murder group had the task of going through the handout they were given on the successful elements of a story, and then using that information to critique their own work from the previous day. As reported earlier, the murder students were given a few guidelines and then asked to tell 2 minutes each of a continuing story. This was filmed and now they were to critique their own part of the story as well as the whole piece based on plot elements, themes, points of view, characters, style, and setting. This will be used to fuel the discussion on wednesday and usher the group into learning about plot and character development for their original stories.

The gaggle group that came Thursday began their work on learning about circuits, simple switches, motors, and becoming proficient with a soldering iron. This group really took to the work quickly. Bill began to show them the circuit basics, and they learned how to make simple switches from cardboard, aluminum foil, batteries, and wires. After this they added motors to their circuits, and all the while Gabe was taking the students 2 at a time to show them how to use the soldering iron. Wednesday they will use the newfound knowledge of circuit making, switches and motors to add new dimensions to their chain reactions. Having Bill and Gabe there made it easy to have both groups present and learning, and Jonathon working with both.

THe murder group is having to adjust to the new freedom we are giving them to work at their own pace. the only restrictions given to them involved the analyzing of the story information by wednesday the 10th of november. This schedule gives them a week to do what they are asked to do, and they can come on either thursday or tuesday to use the computers, but they have the freedom to work at home if they need as well. The Gaggle group will definitely be more focused in their time because they are just learning the technology for the first time.

Tuesday's groups will engage in the same activities, and wednesday will begin the brand new week of proramming.

Jonathon